Woodlands Retreat

While the large, woody backyard looks beautiful from a distance, up close, the bugs and overgrown bushes keep a pair of new homeowners and their dog out of the backyard. They want to be able to entertain and relax in their shady yard, but the small deck and unkempt woodlands are impractical for parties of any size. Chris uses a backhoe, chainsaw and inventive new plantings and hard-scape to create a yard that seems to grow right out of nature, but is inviting and relaxing as well. Chris extends the deck and adds stadium steps to create a new dining and cooking area. A flagstone patio becomes a natural floor for an outdoor living room. A waterfall surrounded by river rock looks as if it was created by nature. And a huge swinging daybed is tucked into the yard's far corner under a pergola. The frisky dog isn't forgotten as he gets his own grassy enclosure as well. New plantings are the unsung heros of this yard, however. Chris uses insect-repellent flowers and herbs to help keep spiders and bugs back in the woods and away from the homeowners new outdoor retreat.